Device for applying sheet material to cylindrical articles



Nov. 21, 1950 F. c. WORTH DEVICE FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL T0 CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES 6 Sheets-Sheecl Filed May 31, 1949 Francis 6. Worth INVENTOR.

Nov. 21, 1950 F. c. WORTH 2,531,314

DEVICE FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL T0 CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed May 31, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Francis 6. Warm INVENTOR.

- QI M 1 Nov. 21 1950 F WORTH 2,531,314

DEVICE FOR A PPILYING SHEET MATERIAL T0 CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Fil'ed Mayil', 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 90 Fig I0. 254

80 Fig.4. 3?

I 2a k 2.9 I

Francis 6. Worth INVENTOR.

Nov. 21, 1950 F. c. .WORTH 2,531,314

DEVICE FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL T0 CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed May {51, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I /76 /90 /as 72 g 72 194 I2 252 so E H 84 200 120 135 74 I28 I44 E h 1.1 [32 I 7 am E g g ll 20 ,8 M

Francis 0. Wort/1 JNVENTOR.

Nov. 21, 1950 2531314 F. C. WORTH DEVICE FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL T0 CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed May 31, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet s 270 82 1| 272 qt i Francis 6. Warm INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 21, 1950 I DEVICEFORAPPLYING SHEET MATERIAL- TO- CYLINDRICAL'ARTICLES Francis C, Worth, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application Mas I31, 1949, Serial No. 96,367

13 Elaims. 1:

This invention relates to devices for applyin labels to various types of objects such asampules, receptacles of various descriptiona or any type of article which has at leasta portion of theouter surface thereof-of substantially cylindricalshape.

An object ofthis invention isto apply a labelfrom' the bottom of a, padded stack of labels on an article bydischarging one of a group of articles on a plurality of rails, the rails being fixed for movement with the carriage; operate the carriage in a part of a reciprocatory cycle ofoperation so that the ampule or other article is deposited in a nest, the nest having a roller forming the bottom thereof; pivotally operate a receptacle which has a cementitious product'or adhesive material thereinso that an improved. applicator contacts the bottom labelof the padded stack of" labels applying in substantially parallel lines a proper. quantity ofthe adhesive; then While the roller is imparting rotative move,- ment to the article and while the nest is translating the article together with the movement; of the carriage, raise the roller, thereby lifting the article while it is continuing-to rotate so that the article contacts. the front or leading edge of the bottom. label which has adhesive material thereon whereby the label sticks to, the article during the rotation and translation thereof so t at t label s ce1ed f om he s ck; heir move the article further with the carriage, and. more specifically the. nest, while this 'last movem nt takes place, press th a t cle firmly against the roller so that the label is pressed i htly ther n, a d finally l w r the roller to form a discharge ope i g for the now-labe ed, article.

After the roller has been lowered in order to discharge the article, the receptacle having the applicator carried thereby is displaced in a pivotal manner, loweing it preparatory to the next similar cycle of operation.

A further objectof this invention is to teach; a new and useful method ofv applying labels ,to small articles (preferably), such as ampules; and to teach the construction of a relatively simple (relative to conventional apparatus) structupe to serve the same purpose, the method embody;- ing a novel sequence of steps while. the appara-. tus embodies a novel combination of elements.

'IO-the best of my nowl d e th n y me hine used in the trade for performing a funetio h some what similar tothewmain object of my'invention; weighs approximately-two tons and uses various screws. Jack and thelik feedinerlabels,

2 This machihcd eshei compl t ly ap l he ahcl to the ampule but only partially appliesthesarne, tlhquirihs human con act n h am u e an abe itcl complete the era i nnce it is. anotherobjec of. my i t o o pl e r arly a label a sma l a t cl hav n a least aportion f, the outer surface cylindrical with.- u thcheccs y r ouc i eith r he a ic e, 1: the a e except f rfl ineth h p i he eclcs an -fillin he m a; .cw t lab ls- .Ano h r ob c f his n en n i o uti ize p d ed abe s th t is labcls h h e jo n- ,711.,

ha a d ely the dhe ive ma e i applied t hc bot om labe of the stack Q o dne he cad Qh1QWIIl tlab 2 1 ar cl and due to the rotation and translation of the r ic e, ea or peel he bott m label from the stack while it s. bei fi mly-fixe to he a c es Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described as my method or process,

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational side view of the illustrated form of thedevice;

Figure 2' is a plan view of the device shown Figure 1 Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional viewtaken substantially onthe line 33 of Figure 4. andin the direction ofthe arrows;

Figures is a vertical sectional view taken on therline of Figural and in the directionof therarrows;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on. thenline .5.'5.of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is an enlargedsectional view showing the carriage positioned on the frame different from that of Figure- 1 and-exemplifying relative positions of elements in a part of the-cycle of' the device illustrative, particularly, .of the posietion of various parts when an article isheing deposited in the nest formedin the carriage;

'ili igurefi is alschematic elevational view show, ing the variouspositions of parts of the device immediately after th -lcottom label of the stack as been remoyedand beingpressed on the 3 132,,

ticle by resilientl urging the article against the roller which forms the bottom of the nest;

Figure is a transverse sectional view of the structure involved in the schematic illustration of Figure 8 and taken on the line Ill-ill thereof;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line l|-Il of Figure 10 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 is a sectional view showing a typical arrangement of supporting one of the very small articles, in this instance an ampule, the view having been taken substantially on the line l2l2 of Figure 5 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram of the electrically operative units used in connection with the device; and

Figure 14 is a partial schematic and partial sectional view illustrative of how the bottom label of the padded stack is taken and wrapped around the article as the article is being simultaneously translated with respect to linear movement'and rotated within the nest.

Used today for applying labels to ampules is a machine which partly applies the label to the ampule. Thereafter, it is essential that the label be pressed manually around the very small article and straightened during this operation. A person capable of completing the label application on the ampule at the rate of fourteen per minute is considered highly skilled. The present device performs the complete operation on each ampule, obviating the necessity of contacting either the label or the ampule by hand. The completion of from forty to sixty label applications on ampules has been successfully performed in use of the present machine.

After manually placing the label on the ampule, it is necessary to inspect the label to see that it is applied on the ampule straight and even. By utility of the device illustrated in the drawings, it has been found possible to apply a label on an ampule in a perfectly straight and even manner. Hence, inspection of labeled ampules is practically entirely'obviated. A frame, generally indicated at I0, is provided of any suitable material and is made sufliciently large to accommodate the necessary elements to be described subsequently. The device, in general, is extremely small, since its prime utility is in connection with small articles which are difficult to handle. A cover (unshown) is disposed around the frame In for enhancing the appearance of the apparatus. However, to show the working elements involved, the cover is removed in the drawings.

The frame or framing It] includes only sufiicient structural members to accommodate the various electrical and mechanical elements. A cross member 12 forms a part of the frame as well as the plurality of legs. Disposed on the cross member I2 is a motor I l which has a transmission it operatively connected therewith. A pulley I8 is fixed in any suitable manner to the power shaft of the transmission and has a belt 22 entrained therearound. This belt also extends around a driving wheel 24 which is mounted on a stub shaft 26. The stub shaft 26 is in turn supported by brackets 28 and 29 which depend from upper side members or sides 39 and 32, respectively, of the frame 10.

A gear 34 having the engineeringly proper and appropriate number of teeth is fixed to the shaft and has a conventional driving chain 35 extending therearound. Suitable thrust bearings 38 and 40, respectively, are used for the purpose of maintaining the shaft 26 in the proper centered position with respect to the brackets 28 and 29.

The chain 36 extends around a gear 42 after passing through a guide 45 which is fixed to the upper side of the frame [0.

A star wheel 36 is secured to the shaft 48 which is passed through the back end of a hopper 59. Hence, operation of the motor is imparted through the driving wheel 24 in rotative movement to the star wheel 36. Since the star wheel is disposed in the hopper 5i] adapted to maintain a supply of articles, operation of the star wheel will deposit, successively, single articles into the guide 52 which is fixed at the discharge end of the hopper.

Noting Figure 4, it is seen that the hopper 50 is tilted with respect to the vertical so that the articles will, by the force of gravity, be retained at the back part of the hopper. A bafile 56, fixed in the hopper, directs the articles, which are ampules, in this instance, into the star wheel for subsequent disposition into the guide 52.

A substantially vertical bracket 53 is fixed to the upper side of the frame 32 by means of screws or suitable equivalent members such as rivets, welding, etc., and has bolts 60 passed therethrough and also through parts of the hopper to retain it in the proper position on the frame.

A pitman 62 is secured at one end in eccentric relationship with respect to th driving wheel 24 and fixed at the other end to a driving arm 64. The function of the driving arm 64 is to operate a carriage which is disposed on the upper part of the frame, in a reciprocatory travel, so that it is capable of performing successive reciprocatory cycles of operation. The carriage (Figure 4) consists of a pair of sides 68 and 10, respectively, which are held in substantially parallel spaced relation by means of a plurality of spacers 12. Longitudinal channels '14 and 76 ar formed in the inside surfaces of the sides 39 and 32 of the frame. These channels may be milled in the sides 30 and 32 or may be formed by placing strips 18 and 80 in suitable channels in the sides, utilizing a shoulder as the other confining wall of each channel. Rollers 80 disposed on axles 82 are mounted for movement in the channels M and 16. Since the axles pass through th sides 58 and 10 of the carriage and sleeves 84 are disposed around the axles, the roller axle assemblies serve also in the nature of spacers for the sides 68 and 10 of the carriage. As disclosed in Figure 3, the driving arm 64 is fixed to the side 68 of the carriage, whereby, upon operation of the pitman 82, the carriage is reciprocated.

A substantially channel-shaped magazine having an open front, top and bottom is fixed to the side 32 of the frame ID by means of the vertical bracket 58 and through the medium of an adjusting assembly. The channel 88 is adapted to support for gravity feed a stack of padded labels 90. To maintain the channel in adjusted position so that proper discharge from the magazine may be obtained, a pair of similar assembles are used. Each assembly includes a screw 92 which has its head countersunk in the web part of the channel and passes through a part of the vertical bracket 58. Adjusting and lockin nuts 94 and 96, respectively, are disposed on the threaded part of the screw 92. and a third nut 98 is disposed adjacent the back part of the magazine channel member. A spring N10 is interposed between the back surface of the channel member 88 and the nut 98. Flanking set screws I02 and H14, respectively, are passed through the substantially vertical bracket 58 and engage the agrar an ontsideback surface; of the channel. 88,. whereby retative adjustment of the: channel. about a. vertioak: axis may beobtain'ed; This adjustment is desirable in thatthe angle: of.v application of the labelefromithe padded stack; 9.0; can be regulated by rotation. of, the. channel about a vertical: axis.

In Figure 12,. the shape of theiparticular article being labeled. is evident. This is 'anlampule I08 having a portion of" the exterior surface thereof cylindrical; After the. ampule I is deposited into-the guide 52 from. the star wheel 46,. it falls on. two. of, a: plurality ofrails, I.08,. I I0; and H2. To makev certain thatthea ampule falls properly on therails I08. and H2, a resilient clip H4. is disposed on apart of the side: wall of the guide. These rails are: fixed -to the carriage between the sides 68 and I0 by'means of suitable screws H8.

T05 accommodate; the. peculiar: top: portion (in shapei of the-'ampule I06, therail H2 is fairly sharp at-the topthereof while the. rail I00 which accommodates the rear part of the ampule is flat on: the: top surface. Th rail I I0 has arelatively sharp top surface-and is slightly lower than the-rails. H2 and I08. The rail. II-0 serves an en'- tirel-y different purpose from. the rails I08 and H2 and will be: described subsequently.

A; transversebaffie I extends between the sides! 08 and I0 of: the carriage and has a stop I22 fixed thereto extending rearwardly toward the rails.- The distance between the stop I22 and theinearest: ends of the rails I08, H0 and II 2 forms a. nest for disposition of. the ampule I06 (Eigure 6).

The forward end of'therai'l I I2 is curved downward-1y; while the forwardi end of the railv IIO extends-furtherra slight. amountbut has a decided taper I24- at'the. lower front edge thereof. A receptacle: L28 isimounted. at on end for displacement, specifically, pivotal movement about a pin I30, and is supported at the other end on an eccentric. I32. A shaft I34 supports the eccentricso that it-will rotate beneath the receptacle I28- and. contact the wear plate I36; This wear plate is fixed to the under surface of the receptacle I28. Iniorder toenhance the. frictional bond-.which. is used for retaining the receptacle inithe. various positions, a spring I40 is. disposed in concentric relationship with thepivot pin I30, engaging the outside surface of the receptacle andthe side I0 of the carriage. A shim or thrust bearing I42 is disposed on. the pivot pin I30 on the opposite sidev of the receptacle I28 from the spring, I40, and is. used. for properly centering the receptacle.

Aheater I44v is fixed to the bottom. surface of the. receptacle I28 and has a pair of lead wires I46 and I48 operatively connected therewiththrough suitable contacts. The leads I46 and I48 connect with a switch I50 which is suitably mounted on the framing of the device and there is a rheostat I52 interposed in one of the lines.

What is known as a hot melt or, alternativ'ely, a. heat softenable' adhesive, is used as the adhesive mat'erialor cementitious product for application to the bottom label of the stack of labelsj Hence, it is necessary to heat the recepticle I20 and maintain it in the heatedcondition. Since the receptacle is fixed to the carriage and thecarriage reciprocates, the contacts (Figure 1) I68 and I 62, respectively, which extend from a suitable insulating block I-It, fixed to the framing, are used. Brushes I85 and" I08 are secured to the arm 8 2,- for movement with the carriages and they slide onthe contacts- I02 and I64 in order tomaintain the-circuit of the heater I44 complete at all times. A s-top' I10, which is insul atingi nature, .is fixed: .atthe ends of contacts I82 and I64.in:order to maintain I586 and I;6& equidistant;

Means for applying a quantitytof. adhesive from thereceptaole I23 to the lowermost: label of the stack 90 is provided; This means consists ofa pair of shafts I14 and 75,. respectizvely', each of whichlhas. rollers H8 and I.80,\ respectively; disposed thereon. The roller I181 is; disposed within. the receptacle: as: deep: as practically possible. and is partially submerged'in. the: adhesive. 'Ilhe roller I base-number of disks rah-thereon which; are very close; to the roller I1 8 see that the. heated adhesive may be transferred from the; roller I18: to the disks I822 Passed between a .pair of the disks; is an. arma- I8 t:which. is: fixed at one end by a bracket I86 and fixed at the other end to the. baffle I20.v There is: a notch supplied in the arm. I84.- sothat. itvwill not interfereiwith the operationcof: the roller?- t80earid the function or. the: arm isto support the stack of labels. during. one partonly' of one stroke: oft the' reciprocatory cycle. of operation of'the carriage;

Gears I 901 and. I 92', respectively; are fixedto the shafts I'M. and I76; These gears are alsd'emmeshed. so that operation of one, of necessity, imparts rotation to the other;

'liheigearsare. operated during a". portion only of one stroke of. the reciprocat'ory cycle of operation of 'the carriage- Thisis occasioned through: the use. of the rack I94: which is supported byva bracket I0l'5(Figun-ei11-.v Suitable screws or the like maintain the bracket r06;- on the side 30 of the frame.

The roller I98 which ismounted on: the shaft preferably is made of resilient material or has a resilient cover. The: shaft 200' has wheels 20-2 at the ends" thereof which are disposed" on the upper edges 204 and 204 of members 30- and 32 serving as rails and also cams. There; aretwo rollers 282 provided and two rails 284' and 205". These rails are the upper edges of the sides 30 and 3-2 of the frame It. while there is one roller provided on each-end" of the'shaft 200. According to the shape of the rails, both of which are substantially alike, the behavior of the roller I98 will be influenced during'the reciprocatory movementof the carriage. Accordingly, since the roller I98 forms thebottom of the nest, the ampule IE6 which is disposed in the nest isdirectly affected and motivated by movement ofthe roller.

Fixed to the bracket 250 which is secured to the side as of the frame is an assembly ferresiliently pressing the ampule and all subsequent ampules against the roller I98; This resiliently operated means-includes a pair of flat members 21 2 and 2Id,.respectively-, which have their ends: disposed. in notches in the bracket 210 and bracket 216, also supported by the side of the frame L0. The ends of the fiat members 2 I2 and 2% are also notched,.as at. 2I8 and 22il,to allow a predetermined amount of vertical movement thereof.

parts of 'the flat members or plates 2M and 21-2,. and the screws are fastened in threaded openings int'hebrackets 2I0: and 2H3... Since springs 230 and 232, respectively; are disposed between the heads=ofthe1 screws 222 and 224 and the plates 2.25; and 228', respectively, thesubstantially flat members 2 I2 andL2'I 4Iareconstantly urged downwardly. Accordingly, when: an ampule' is moved under the-:members 2M and 2.12, the. said mem bers-arespressed' againstthesprings: 230 and 232,.

Screws 222.. and 224, respectively,.pass through upper plates 226 and 228 which rest-on thereby forcing the ampule against the roller I98 on which it is disposed.

It is absolutely necessary that only the proper amount of adhesive be applied to the bottom label of the stack 90. For this reason the doctor knife 234 which has an inturned end portion 236 is employed. The doctor knife 234 is of resilient material and has a bow 236 therein. A yoke 238 is fixed to the bottom of the receptacle I28 and has a set screw 24s disposed therein with an end contacting the bow 238. Since one end of the doctor knife is fixed to the receptacle and the setscrew engages the bow 236, adjustment of the set screw will be reflected in various positioning of the inturned end 238 of the knife. This spaces it farther or closer to the pickup roller I18.

The stack of labels is padded, as disclosed in Figure 6. That is, there is an amount of a binder 244 along opposite edges of all of the labels holding them together. This binder begins about forty per cent of the distance from the leading edge of the labels and terminates about ten per (of the entire distance) from the trailing edge of the labels. This is of importance in that since the adhesive material clinging to the ampule I86 is used for the purpose of peeling or tearing the bottom label from the stack I98, the spacing of the binder 2% from the front end allows an appreciable amount of the lower label to come into firm fixation with the substantially cylindrical part of the surface of the ampule I66.

Reference to Figure l l discloses that in practical use more than one of the bottom number of labels will tend to pull loose from the stack. However, due to the rail H9 being lower and beveled down at the front end all but the bottom label is prevented from being pulled from the padded group of labels.

. The labels in this apparatus are gravity-fed. The small, substantially U-shaped slide 259 has its ends curved around the channel 83 which forms a part of the magazine in order to hold a weight 252 which is disposed therein. This weight rests on the top label of the stack 99, constantly pressing the entire stack downwardly for discharge. In order to hold the lowermost labels in proper position, a guide 254 having fingers 256 and 258 is disposed adjacent the lower open end of the channel 88, preventing nonvertical removal of the lower label of the stack 90.

Operation Referring primarily to the three diagrammatic showings (Figures 7-4)), the operation of the invention is most readily understandable. Due to the motor-operated chain and gearing, the star wheel 46 first deposits an ampule I into the guide 52. This ampule is at rest as disclosed in Figure 12 on the outside and inside rails I08 and H2 respectively. At this time, the roller I98 is in the down position, since the wheels 202 are disposed in the depression 223 of the rails 284, The shaft 2:36 being guided in the slightly curved slots 262 formed in the sides 68 and 76 of the carriage makes it possible for the shaft 298', and consequently the roller I98, to assume a slightly arcuate path of travel. This forms an opening between the baflie 22B and the roller I98 for discharge of ampules, whereby they are conducted through the spout 294 for deposit on a conveyor belt or any other desired location.

The carriage moves to the left from the position in Figure 7 due to the operation of the pitman rod 62 as influenced by the driving wheel 24. Accordingly, the wheels 202ride upwardly out of the depressions 26D. Meantime, the nest approaches the ampule 195. Moving the carriage slightly further allows the ampule I96 (Figure 8) to be deposited from the guide 52 into the nest and on the roller I98. Meanwhile, the arm 210 which is fixed to the shaft I34 having the cam I32 thereon strikes the stop 212 which is fixed to the inside surface of the side 32 of the frame. By striking the stop in this portion of the whole cycle of reciprocatory operation of the carriage, the shaft I34 is rotated, carrying the cam I32 with it and pivotally operating the receptacle I28 about the pin I30 as an axis or pivot point. This raises the gears I and I92 so that the gear I96 becomes enmeshed with the rack I94.

In completing the single cycle of operation, the carriage is moved toward the right as disclosed in Figure 9, with the cams retained in the rotated position due to the spring 280 which reacts on one of the cams I32 (two provided on the shaft 34) and also on the side 10 of the carriage. The small gear train being enmeshed with the rack imparts rotative movement to the adhesive material applicator rolls or rollers so that the knives I32 apply adhesive material to the bottom layer of the label of the stack in longitudinal lines which are substantially parallel to each other.

Moving the carriage further to the right, the ampule I95 (Figure 14) which is disposed in the nest and on the roller I 98 engages the now adhesive front portion of the lower surface of the bottom label of the stack of labels 99, causing it to stick thereto. Rotation is imparted to the ampule IE6, since the roller I98 is rotating because of the wheel engagement with the cam and the ampule is also being translated due to the movement of the carriage having the nest formed therein. The linear speed of the ampule, insofar as translation is concerned, and the linear speed of the ampule, insofar as rotative movement is concerned, are the same so that the label will be applied and held on the ampule without it pullin The operation of removal of the bottom label from the stack 90 is peeling.

However, if the ampule I96 were to remain at the same elevation throughout the Whole cycle of operation, it could not contact the bottom label of the stack. Accordingly, the depression 285 in the cam track allows the roller to fall slightly prior to reception of the ampule, I86 on the roller 598. But, just prior to the engagement of the ampule with the lowest label of the stack, the shape of the cams 294 and 204 are such as to cause roller I98 to raise, thereby raising the bottom of the nest so that the ampule engages the bottom label of the stack I90.

In moving the carriage further, the stop 288 which is carried by the side 32 of the frame is engaged by the arm 210 thereby rotating the cam 232 and permitting the receptacle 228 to be displaced in a pivotal manner to the down position. Also, the wheels 202 are disposed in the depression 26!], thereby causing the bottom of the nest to fall and form a discharge opening for the now-labeled ampule.

I It has been found that the best type of adhesive material is a hot melt, and accordingly this type of adhesive material is suggested for use in the receptacle I28. This necessitates the operation of the switch [5% some time prior to the actual operation of the carriage. Hence, the switch 296 is wired into the leads 29I and 292.

the operation of the heater I44.

After the contents of the receptacle I28 have been heated sufficiently so that the'device may be operated properly, adjustment of the rheostat I52 renders it possible to maintain the proper temperature in the receptacle I28.

Since the padded'stack of labels 86 is of the gravity-feed type, provision must be made for retaining them in such disposition with respect to the remainder ofthe apparatus as to allow one (the bottom) label to be peeled from the stack, yet retain the entire stack in the proper position within the magazine. Accordingly, the center rail H9 is usedfor the purpose of supporting the stack during the discharge of the'ampule I 66 on the rails I I2 and I'tSand until shortly before the ampule N36 is disposed in the nest. When the ampule I06 :is actually being disposed in the nest, the applicatorroller has its disks I82 disposed below the uppersurface of the arm I84. Hence, it is the arm I84 which contacts the bottom label of the stacktil while the ampule iisfi is being disposed on the roller I98. After disposition of the ampule or at about the same time as the disposition of the ampule on the roller I98, the

arm 21!) engages the stop Z'IZ, thereby urging the receptacle I28 about the pivot pin I30 and forcing the knives or disks [82 in side by side relationship to the arm I83. .Hence, at this particular time the weighted stack of labels :99 is being pressed by means of the weight 252 on the knives of the applicator J82. Thereafter, the stack of labels is supported by means .of having its bottom one engage the .ampule I05. Prior to complete removal .of the bottom label from the stack St, the center .rail Iii! becomes again disposed beneaththe new bottom label of the stack 90.

As described, the removal of the bottom label is effected in such a manner that the bottom label is peeled from the group, as distinguished from being pulled or pressed thereagainst by some mechanical means other than the actual weight of the gravity-fed stackoflabels. Since the roller I98 is held in the up position between the depressions 285 and 269', the force of the springs .235 and 232 is used to press "the members H2 and 2M against the ampule, urging it firmly against the preferably rubber-covered roller I98. Thereafter, upon dropping of the roller I98 into the lowered position, the particular ampuleiiit under discussion is permitted to pass through the discharge opening between the stop I22 which reacts in connection with the ampole I85, and the roller 498. A smallpart of the edge 2% of the stop if? is'cut away (Figure 14) in order to allow free falling of the ampule I through the funnel'264.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A device for fixing labels to substantially cylindrical surfaces of articles comprising a frame and a carriage disposed on said frame, means operatively connected with said carriage for horizontally reciprocating said carriage, an article supporting nest provided in said carriage, a roller carried by said carriage formingthe bottom of said nest to accommodate an "article, a

label magazine carried 'by'said'frame and disposed above the nest in the "carriage, means secured-to said carriage for applying a cementitious product to .the bottom label inithe'magazine while the carriage is :being :moved, the bottom label being in the path of travel of the cylindrical surface so that the bottom label together with 10 the cementi'tious product thereon is applied-on the cylindrical surface.

2. A device for fixing labels to substantially cylindrical surfaces of articles comprising s. frame and a carriage disposed on said frame, means operatively connected with said carriage for horizontally -reciprocating said carriage, an

article supporting nest provided in said carriage,-

a roller carried by said carriage forming the bottom of'said nest to accommodate an article, a label magazine carried by 'said frame *anddisposed above the nest in the carriage, means secured'to said carriage for applying acementitious product to the bottom label in the magazine while the carriage is being moved, the bottom "label being in the path of travel ofthe cylindrical surface so that the bottom label together with the cementitious product thereon is applied on the cyiindrical surface, a cam on said frame, and means connected to said roller and located son said cam to raise and lower said rollerin response to the shape of the cam, said cam being so shaped as to raise the means connected to.

the roller and thereby .raisethe roller forming the bottom of the nest after .an article has'been deposited thereon and when the article has approached the bottom label thereby assuring.'firm v engagement of the label and surface.

3. A device forfixinglabels to substantially.

cylindrical surfaces of articles comprising .-a frame and a carriage disposed on said frame, means operatively connected with said carriage for horizontally reciprocating said carriage, an article supporting nest provided in said carriage, a roller carried by said carriage forming the-bottom of said nest to. accommodate an article,.-;a label magazine carried ,bysaid frameanddisposed above the .nest :in the carriage, means secured to said carriagezfor applyinga cementitious product to the bottomlabel in the 'magazine'while the carriage is being moved, the bottom label being in the path :of. travel of the cylindrical surface sothat the bottom label together with the cementitious product thereon is applied on the cylindrical surface, a cam on said framaa shaftform-ing -a'part of said roller, a wheelzcarried by said shaft and disposed onsaid cam, said 4. The combination of claim 2 and said cam having a depressionftherein accommodating said means which isconnected tosaid roller sothat said roller'is lowered for discharge o'fthe article disposed thereon.

5. In a labeling apparatus, a frame having a carriage disposed thereon and means for horizontally reciprocating said carriage, a nest formed in said carriage 'for supporting an article to be labeled; a magazine disposed above said carriage and in the path of travel "of the article in the nest, said magazine being adapted tosupport a gravity-fed stack of labels "therein "with the bottom label contacting 'the 'a-rticle as "it passes thereunder.

6. In a labeling apparatus, a frame having "a carriage disposed thereon and means for horizontally reciprocating said carriage, a nest formed in said carriage for supporting an article to be labeled, a magazine disposed above said carriage and in the path of travel of the article in the nest, said magazine being adapted to sup port a gravity-fed stack of labels therein with the bottom label contacting the article as it passes thereunder, means carried by said carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label prior to the articles contacting the bottom label, and a roller forming the bottom of said nest to facilitate rotative movement of the article in the nest when the carriage is moving.

7. In a labeling apparatus, a frame having a carriage disposed thereon and means for horizontally reciprocating said carriage, a nest formed in said carriage for supporting'an article to be labeled, a magazine disposed above said carriage and in the path of travel of the article in the nest, said magazine being adapted to support a gravity-fed stack of labels therein with the bottom label contacting the article as it passes thereunder, means carried by said carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label prior to the articles contacting the bottom label, and a roller forming the bottom of said nest to rollingly support the article in the nest when the carriage is moving, means secured to said frame for raising said roller when the roller approaches aposition below said magazine so that the article is pressed against the bottom label of' the gravity-fed stack of labels.

8. A machine for applying labels to articles comprising a frame having. a horizontally reciprocating carriage carried thereby, an article retaining nest in said carriage, a magazine disposed over said carriage and adapted to support a.gi-avity-fed stack of labels therein, the labels of which are releasably joined along a part of opposite edges thereof, means forming a part of said nest for raising the article in the nest so that the article is pressed against the bottom label of the stack and so that the rotative movement of the article detaches the bottom label from the stack.

9. A machine for applying labels to articles comprising a frame having a horizontally reciprocating carriage carried thereby, an articleretaining nest in said carriage, a magazine disposed over said carriage and adapted to support a gravity-fed stack of labels therein, the labels of which are releasably joined along a part of edges thereof, means forming a part of said nest for rotating and raising the article in the nest so that the article is pressed against the bottom' label of thestack and so that the rotative movement of the article detaches the bottom label from the stack, and means responsive to movement of the carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label of the stack prior to contact of the article with the label caused by the means which forms part of the nest.

10. The process of applying a label from the bottom of a padded stack of labels on an article including the steps of: applying an adhesive material on a part of the bottom label in lines; rotating the article and translating it in a direction substantially parallel to the lines of adhesive material so that the article contacts an end portion of the label; the surface speed of the article and the speed of the translation of the article being substantially equal so that the bottom label is peeled from the pad.

11. A labeler for at least part cylindrical arti- 12 cles comprising a frame, a carriage, means mounting said carriage on said frame for reciprocation, means for actuating said carriage through reciprocatory cycles of operation, a plurality of rails secured to said carriage, two of said rails adapted to support the article, a nest in said carriage at the ends of said rails, a dispenser disposed above said rails to deposit the article on the two rails, the article being deposited in the nest when the carriage has moved a part of the cycle, a magazine for a gravity fed stack of labels, one of said rails supporting the stack, means displaceably carried by said carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label of the stack, means carried by said frame and said carriage and operative at a certain position of travel of the carriage for displacing said adhesive applying means to such position that a part thereof contacts the bottom label of the stack, and a roller forming the bottom of said nest and operable to support the article beneath said magazine so that the article thereon rollingly contacts the bottom label.

12. A labeler for at least part cylindrical articles comprising a frame, a carriage, means mounting said carriage on said frame for reciprocation, means for actuating said carriage through reciprocatory cycles of operation, a plurality of rails secured to said carriage, two of said rails adapted to support the article, a nest in said carriage at the ends of said rails, a dispenser disposed above said rails to deposit the article on the two rails, the article being deposited in the nest when the carriage has moved a part of the cycle, a magazine for a gravity fed stack of labels, one of said rails supporting the stack, means displaceably carried by said carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label of the stack, means carried by said frame and said carriage and operative at a certain position of travel of the carriage for displacing said adhesive applying means to such position that part thereof contacts the bottom label of the stack, a roller forming the bottom of said nest and. operable to "support the article beneath said magazine so that the article thereon rollingly contacts the bottom label, means carried by said frame for pressing the label on the article as the nest is moved with the carriage, and means for lowering said roller after passing said pressing means to form a discharge opening for the article.

13. The combination of claim 12 and said adhesive applying means including a heated receptacle pivoted to said carriage, and an applicator roller carried by said receptacle; and an armed fixed for movement with said carriage for supporting the stack of labels during the part of the cycle of operation of the carriage prior to the application of adhesive to the bottom label of the stack.

14. In a labeling machine, a magazine to support a padded stack of labels, a frame supporting said magazine, a carriage disposed on said frame and horizontally movable beneath said magazine,

means mounting said carriage on said frame for reciprocation, a nest in said carriage for supporting an article, means carried by said frame for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label of the stack, and means disposed on said carriage for supporting the article for rotation as the nestpasses under the bottom label and for displacing the article so that it contacts the adhesive on the bottom label to fix a part of the label on the article and pull it from the padded stack.

15. In a labeling machine, a magazine to support a padded stack of labels, a frame supporting said magazine, a carriage disposed on said frame and horizontally movable beneath said magazine, means mounting said carriage for reciprocation, a nest in said carriage for supporting an article, means carried by said frame for applying an adhesive material to the bottom label of the stack, means disposed on said carriage for supporting the article for rotation as the nest passes under the bottom label and for displacing the article so that it contacts the adhesive on the bottom label to fix a part of the label on the article and pull it from the padded stack, and means carried by said carriage and said frame for actuating said adhesive applying means during only a part of the cycle of operation of the carriage.

16. In a labeling machine, a frame whichflincludes a pair of spaced rails, a carriage, means for mounting said carriage on said frame for reciprod cative movement, means forming an article retainin nest in said carriage to carry the article from one end of said frame to the other end thereof with said carriage, a magazine carried by said frame to support a stack of labels above the 'nest in the carriage, said means forming a nest including a roller, said rails having parts thereof serving as cams, cam and rail engaging means connected to said roller and disposed on the rails and on the cams as said carriage is reciprocated, and said cams being located below said magazine and arranged to raise said roller when the nest is below said magazine so that the article in said nest is lifted to engage the bottom label in said magazine.

17. A labeling machine comprising the combination of a frame, a carriage, means mounting said carriage for reciprocation in a definite plane, means including a roller forming an article supporting nest in said carriage, said roller having end members and said carriage having slots with said end members disposed therein, cams serving as rails and arranged on said frame, said end members being disposed on said cams so that said roller is raised and lowered by said cams when cycle of operation of the carriage so that during another portion of said cycle the article which is lifted by the roller engages the bottom label with the adhesive thereon.

18. A labeling machine comprising the combination of a frame, a carriage, means mounting said carriage for reciprocation in a definite plane, means including a roller forming an article supporting nest in said carriage, said roller having end members and said carriage having slots with said end members disposed therein, cams serving as rails and arranged on said frame, said end members being disposed on said cams so that said roller is raised and lowered by said cams when said carriage is reciprocated, a magazine to support a padded stack of labels carried by said frame and disposed above said carriage, means carried by said carriage for applying an adhesive material to the bottom surface of the bottom label of the stack during a part of a reciprocatory cycle f operation of the carriage so that during another portion of said cycle the article which is lifted b the roller engages the bottom label with the adhesive thereon, and a presser arranged above said carriage to press the label on the article firmly as the article is translated with the carriage after the label is applied to the article.

FRANCIS C. WORTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 398,775 Ethridge Feb. 26, 1889 1,410,845 Stevens Mar. 28, 1922 2,171,085 Friberg Aug. 29, 1939 

